Office Apps Not Opening

How to Fix Microsoft Word Black Screen Issue on iPad

Maira Mehtab Oct 13, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user encounters a black screen when launching Microsoft Word on their iPad, preventing them from viewing or editing any documents.

How to Fix Microsoft Word Black Screen Issue on iPad

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: iPadOS
Scenario: Attempting to open, read, or edit a document using the Microsoft Word application on an iPad.
Observed behavior: The Word application freezes on a solid black screen upon launch and remains entirely unresponsive.

Before you start

Verify that your iPad has an active internet connection and ensure you know your Microsoft account login credentials in case a reinstallation is required.

Solution 1Recommended

Force Quit the Word App and Restart Your iPad

This is the most effective first step to resolve temporary software glitches that cause the app to hang on a black screen.

Open the App Switcher

Swipe up from the bottom of your iPad screen and pause in the middle to bring up the App Switcher interface.

Force Quit Microsoft Word

Swipe right or left to locate the Microsoft Word preview, then swipe up on it to force the application to close completely.

Restart Your iPad

Press and hold either volume button and the top power button until the power off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your iPad, wait a few seconds, then press the top button again to turn it back on.

Relaunch the App

Tap the Microsoft Word icon on your home screen to see if the black screen issue is resolved.

Force Quit the Word App and Restart Your iPad

Solution 2

Update Microsoft Word and iPadOS

Running outdated software can lead to compatibility issues resulting in a black screen. Keeping your system and apps updated is highly recommended.

Solution 3

Check Device Storage and Reinstall the Word App

Low storage space or a corrupted app installation might cause Word to fail on launch.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office as a Reliable Alternative on iPad

If Microsoft Word continues to show a black screen, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that lets you view, edit, and manage your documents seamlessly on your iPad without constant crashes.

1. Download the App: Open the App Store on your iPad, search for WPS Office, and tap the download button.
2. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and navigate to your existing Word files saved in iCloud, local storage, or cloud drives.
3. Edit Seamlessly: Tap on any document to instantly view and edit it without worrying about black screens or app freezes.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.doc, .docx) to ensure your formatting stays intact.Lightweight architecture that runs smoothly on iPads without consuming excessive device storage.All-in-one suite to seamlessly manage Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files in a single app.Free to use with a familiar interface, making your migration fast and effortless.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Microsoft Word app showing a black screen on my iPad?

A black screen can occur due to temporary memory glitches in the app, an outdated iOS/iPadOS version, severely insufficient device storage, or corrupted app installation files.

Will I lose my documents if I delete and reinstall the Word app?

Documents saved to OneDrive, iCloud, or your iPad's 'Files' app will not be lost. However, if you have locally unsaved files stored exclusively within the Word app's cache, they might be deleted during reinstallation.

Does resetting all settings on my iPad delete my files?

No, navigating to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings will not delete your personal files, apps, or documents. It only resets your network settings, Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth connections, and system preferences to their defaults.

Can low storage cause Office apps to crash on iPad?

Yes, if your iPad is critically low on storage space, apps like Microsoft Word struggle to load necessary temporary files and cache, which can result in a black screen, freezing, or immediate crashing upon launch.

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